James Lockhart Bush

James L Bush died on February 18, 2024, age 81.

Jim was born in Minneapolis and went through grade school there. In 1954 the family moved to Iowa City. There Jim attended junior high, high school and the State University of Iowa (now University of Iowa.) After earning his B.A. in social science education Jim packed his 1961 Ford Falcon and headed west for his first teaching job. He didn't get beyond Des Moines, and it was even the east side of Des Moines at that.

Jim spent over thirty years teaching full time for the Des Moines Public Schools and part time for the Des Moines Area Community College. His hobbies included collecting vintage post cards of Des Moines, family history (genealogy) and traveling. He traveled to over 50 countries where he loved absorbing new cultures and later passing on his knowledge to his students. He also followed Hawkeye football avidly. In time, he earned a Master of Arts, plus additional graduate hours from Drake University. Jim cared passionately about social justice issues and supported a number of social justice causes.

He is survived by his sister Jean Bush-Bacelis and brother-in-law, Marcos Bacelis and two nieces, Linda, and Cristina, as well as a great nephew, Samuel. Per his request, there will be no service.

He has been cremated. Later, the cremains will be placed in a columbarium in Side Lake, MN. Jim wished to thank his family for their support as well as special friends: Nancy and Randy Frakes, Steve and Shelly Jerrett, Sandi and Don Neville and Marlene and Steve Parsons.

In lieu of flowers Jim suggests a donation be made to his church, First Unitarian of Des Moines https://www.ucdsm.org/ or the Iowa Genealogical Society in Des Moines https://iowagenealogy.org/